38 replies to this topic

[benbest]

Charles Grodzicki, a cryonicist in Vancouver, British Columbia
area has recently become increasingly worried about BC's anti-cryonics
law in connection with his attempts to make cryonics arrangements.
He has been rebuffed by BC funeral directors when he asked them if
they would assist in a cryonics case. Despite all of the supposed
disclaimers and "comfort letters" the funeral directors still believe
cryonics is illegal in BC and are terrorized by the law.

Charles has made contact with the government official charged
with enforcing British Columbia funeral and cemetery law and has
gotten support from a Vancouver journalist. Although the journalist
is not interested in cryonics for herself, she has been touched
by the human rights aspect of the issue and plans to write an
article about his plight.

British Columbia's anti-cryonics law was enacted in 1990 as
Section 57 of Bill 42 (Cemetery and Funeral Services Act). Under
the heading "Arrangements Forbidden" is Part 5, Section 57: "No
person shall offer for sale or sell any arrangement for the
preservation or storage of human remains based on cryonics,
irradiation or any other means of preservation or storage, by
whatever name called, that is offered or sold on the expectation
of the resuscitation of human remains at a future time."

but was re-written in 2004 as Section 14 of Bill 3, and can
be viewed on-line at:

http://www.legis.gov....htm#section014

(I challenge anyone to show an example of someone claiming
"irradiation" as a means of storage for the "expectation of
future resuscitation". This was undoubtedly the concept of a
hostile bureaucrat who wanted to discredit cryonics by
associating it with something that is patently ludicrous.)

Since the year 2000 there have been two "comfort letters" written
by British Columbia bureaucrats concerning cryonics:

Solicitor General Coleman to Olaf Henry
("Henny" [sic]), September 2002
http://www.cryocdn.org/BC_Sep02.html

Solicitor General Coleman states that funeral providers are
prohibited from offering cryonics arrangements on the expectation
of future revival, but that cryonics businesses are not prohibited
from operating and consumers are not prohibited from accessing
cryonics services. Although a BC funeral director cannot sell
cryonics arrangements, a BC funeral director is not prohibited
from preparation and transport for cryonics purposes (to an
organization outside of BC, presumably). This letter was copied
to Tayt Winnitoy, the Registrar of Cemetery and Funeral Services.

Registrar Tayt Winnitoy to Andy Zawacki, July 2005
http://www.cryocdn.org/BC_Jul05.html

Registrar Winnitoy confirmed to Cryonics Institute Facilities
Manager Andy Zawacki that a BC funeral director is not prohibited
from performing preparation and transport services related to a
cryonics arrangement.

If a similar letter has been written to Alcor, I would like to
know about it. In any case, these letters have not influenced the
attitudes of funeral directors that Charles Grodzicki has attempted
to persuade to help him. I suggest initiating a new letter-writing
campaign. We have had writing-campaigns in the past to British
Columbia with little effect, so some of us may have become
(unduly?) cynical about such efforts. But we should not let this
issue drop, especially when there are British Columbia cryonicists
who are working for change.

Also, we have recently learned about a disconnect between the
government and the BC funeral director's association. According
to one source the funeral director's association has had no
knowledge of the "comfort letters". The topic of the anti-cryonics
law has not once been mentioned at a bi-monthly meeting with the
government during the 15-year career of the Executive Director
of the association. A campaign by cryonicists may be a way to
put cryonics on the agenda of one of those meetings in a way
that could have a favorable outcome for BC cryonicists.

Approaching the Funeral Services Association of BC is an idea
which we have not tried before. If the government is genuine in
its claim that it will not prohibit BC citizens from making
cryonics arrangements with cryonics organizations outside of BC
including funeral director assistance, then that message could
be disseminated to the BC funeral directors through their
provincial association. In the past, cryonicists have only been
lobbying the government bureaucrats, but some lobbying of the
Funeral Services Association of BC also seems very appropriate.

I request that all cryonicists concerned with the legal
situation in British Columbia phone or send a letter, FAX or e-mail
message to Tayt Winnitoy, who is in charge of implementing
BC funeral law and/or to Janet Ricciutti, who is the Executive
Director of the BC Funeral Service Association. You can be creative
if you can express your concerns in a constructive manner, but
try to avoid too much self-righteous attacking, which can easily
be self-defeating. Persuasion should be the emphasis. I have
written sample text below which you can use if your imagination
fails you.

There may be little lasting effect if there is a bombardment
of messages on a single day or two followed by no follow-up.
Relentless pressure has more influence than a flash in the pan.
There is something to be said for sending messages on a
regular or irregular basis. Also, excessive reliance on e-mail
can be ineffective if the messages get trapped by SPAM filters.
There is something to be said for phone calls, FAXes and letters.
I think there is a chance that an informative message might be
sent to BC funeral directors in response to lobbying, so if that
happens it would be inappropriate to continue requesting it and
the focus should shift to pressure for legal reform. I will try
to be aware if BC funeral directors are informed about their
ability to assist in cryonics cases and I will let cryonicists
know if this happens so that the emphasis can shift.

( Those wanting more background on BC's anti-cryonics law
can consult http://www.cryocdn.org/law57.html )

**********************************************************
Tayt Winnitoy, Director of Operations
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority
P. O. Box 9244
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 320-1667
Fax: (250) 920-7181
Toll Free: (888) 564-9963
E-mail: tayt.winnitoy@bpcpa.ca
**********************************************************

Janet Ricciutti
Funeral Service Association of British Columbia.
Suite 211
2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, BC.
Canada V8R 1G1

Telephone: (250) 592-3213
Toll Free: (800) 665-3899
Fax: (250) 592-4362
E-mail: info@bcfunerals.com
***********************************************************

(SAMPLE LETTER)

Dear XXX,

I am concerned about Section 14 of Bill 3 (2004) which I
regard to be an infringement on the rights of free people to
arrange for the disposition of the remains of their loved-ones
as they see fit, whether that be burial, cremation OR
CRYOPRESERVATION. I believe that Section 14 has no place in
the legislation of a purportedly free society and that efforts
should be made to repeal this legislation.

Nonetheless, there have been many assurances, both formally
and informally, on the part of various British Columbia
officials that BC law does not prohibit a BC citizen from
making arrangements with a cryonics organization outside of BC
and that a funeral director in BC is not prohibited from
preparation and transport for cryonics purposes. Recent documents
of this kind have included a letter from the Solicitor General
(http://www.cryocdn.org/BC_Sep02.html) and a letter from the
Registrar of Cemetery and Funeral Services
(http://www.cryocdn.org/BC_Jul05.html). These assurances have
not reached the BC funeral directors themselves, who generally
believe that cryonics is simply illegal in BC and that any
association with cryonics-related activity is illegal.

I request that you use your knowledge of the facts and the
authority of your position to inform the funeral directors of
British Columbia that they are not in violation of the law if
they assist in preparation or shipment of the human remains of
someone who has arrangements to be cryopreserved by a cryonics
organization outside of British Columbia.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX

[quadclops]

Thanks Ben for bringing this to our attention.

I'll certainly do everything I can to persuade Tayt Winnitoyand Janet Ricciutti of the need for legal reform on this vital human rights issue, and I hope that the other cryonicists here will also lend their support to your efforts.

Good luck.

[Live Forever]

I wonder if they will mention any of this on the Anderson Cooper 360 episode tonight?

[benbest]

I hope that the other cryonicists here will also lend their support to your efforts.

I intend to, as a current BC resident and potential future cryonicist.

Once again, thank you for keeping us informed Ben.

Thanks, "cosmos". If you are willing to speak to the Vancouver
journalist that could be helpful, because she is interviewing
citizens of BC who would be interested in making cryonics
arrangements. If you send me your e-mail address I can
send it to her. I am at benbest@interlog.com [benbest(at)interlog.com]

-- Ben

[benbest]

I request that all cryonicists concerned with the legal
situation in British Columbia phone or send a letter, FAX or e-mail
message to Tayt Winnitoy, who is in charge of implementing
BC funeral law and/or to Janet Ricciutti, who is the Executive
Director of the BC Funeral Service Association.

I can add the names of two additional British Columbia
officials who would be suitable subjects for lobbying efforts.

The first is Tom Aquiline, Deputy Director of Industry Relations
for the Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
of British Columbia (http://www.bpcpa.ca/). This is a non-profit,
non-governmental agency that has been given authority for
oversight of business practices and consumer protection in BC
(privatization of regulation?). (Tayt Winnitoy is the Director
of Operations.) The BPCPA has a Cemetery, Interment & Funeral
Services Advisory Group that meets periodically to discuss
relevant issues
(http://www.bpcpa.ca/...ps-cemetery.htm).
Cryonics has never been mentioned at one of these meetings. Tom
Aquiline is the Chairman of this group and he is a mediator between
the BPCPA and the private funeral/cremation businesses. The issues
of the anti-cryonics law and the impunity of funeral directors
in helping with a cryonics case should be brought to his attention.

Tom R. Aquiline
Tel: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bcpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bcpcpa.ca]


The second official who should be added to the list of those
who should be made aware of the anti-cryonics situation in
British Columbia is Betty Down, who is a Senior Policy & Legislation
analyst for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
(http://www.gov.bc.ca...NAV_ID_province)
Betty Down has the ability to recommend changes/repeals of current
BC laws or, at least, to forward these requests to policy makers.

Ms. Betty Down
PO BOX 9283
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC
V8W 9J7 CANADA
Tel: (250) 387-3920 or (250) 387-3398
FAX: (250) 387-2631
E-mail: betty.down@gems1.gov.bc.ca or Betty.Down@gov.bc.ca
[Betty.Down(at)gov.bc.ca]

Edited by benbest, 06 May 2006 - 04:52 PM.

[benbest]

Ben, did you recieve my PM?

Yes, I got it, and I forwarded it the journalist. Thank you. -- Ben

Edited by benbest, 06 May 2006 - 04:49 PM.

[Pablo M]

I read a bit about this a while back on the Canadian Cryonics page. What surprised me is that the government apparently consulted with religious groups regarding the anti-cryonics legislation but not cryonicists or immortalists. Well, that's just the way the system works in Canada. As a former BC resident I highly doubt (unfortunately) that this law will be stricken from the books anytime soon. What I can't seem to understand is why the hell this law was passed in the first place. *What right* do they have to restrict my access to cryonics services that I pay for with money I earn??!!

[benbest]

I read a bit about this a while back on the Canadian Cryonics page. What surprised me is that the government apparently consulted with religious groups regarding the anti-cryonics legislation but not cryonicists or immortalists. Well, that's just the way the system works in Canada. As a former BC resident I highly doubt (unfortunately) that this law will be stricken from the books anytime soon. What I can't seem to understand is why the hell this law was passed in the first place. *What right* do they have to restrict my access to cryonics services that I pay for with money I earn??!!

I don't believe that the government consulted with religious groups or with anyone else. A bureaucrat decided that cryonics is snake-oil and that the BC bureaucrats could prove to consumers that it was looking after their interests by making it illegal to market a bogus service. You should be pleased that the government is making you wear a seat belt so that you won't get hurt and is protecting you from wasting your money on a product which they have decided is of no value. And you should be proud of your government for taking good care of your interests, just as the bureaucrats take pride in the trust you have in their judgement.

Sarcasm aside, I am not sure that anger and self-righteousness are the way to move forward for change. I think what is required is to prove that cryonicists are reasonable, intelligent and scientific people who have sound reasons for wanting the legislation changed. And that there are no reasonable grounds for the current legislation. Good will may breed the good will necessary to motivate officials to work on our behalf. On the other hand, a bit of pressure doesn't hurt either -- politicians and bureaucrats can be pressure sensitive. Unfortunately there are too few cryonicists to make much of a political impact and too few cryonicists these days are anything more than passive consumers.

Edited by benbest, 06 May 2006 - 04:49 PM.

[boundlesslife]

Unfortunately there are too few cryonicists to make much of a political impact and too few cryonicists these days are anything more than passive consumers.

That about sums it up. Our challenge is not so much to reshape society in the near term as to navigate a turbulent transition upward in such a way as to survive, if possible.

This means not sitting in front of onrushing 18 wheelers and arguing that they have an obligation not to run over us.

The most reasonable and practical approach is to do as Ben suggests, and attempt to find a middle-ground that permits a win-win scenario where the bureaucrats still feel they are doing their job, and we get to do what we want too.

The recent step Ben has managed to bring about, in terms of bringing about a 501©3 position for CI that permits placing funds for maintaining people in cryonic suspension in a tax-exempt status, while at the same time meeting the requirements of an existing legal system, is a stunningly successful case in point!

boundlesslife

[benbest]

The recent step Ben has managed to bring about, in terms of bringing about a 501©3 position for CI that permits placing funds for maintaining people in cryonic suspension in a tax-exempt status, while at the same time meeting the requirements of an existing legal system, is a stunningly successful case in point!

Thanks, boundlesslife, but it's not over until it's over, so it is a good idea not to pre-announce tax-exempt status for CI before the IRS actually approves it. And CORRECTION: it is 501©13 -- CEMETERY -- not 501©3 -- EDUCATION/RESEARCH.

(I think I have finally figured-out how to do quotes properly)

[benbest]

I have spoken on the phone to three of the British Columbia
officials whom I have been requesting people in the cryonics
community to lobby. All three of them seem like very reasonable
people and nice people who want to be helpful.

Janet Ricciatti, Executive Director of the BC Funeral
Services Association told me that she had heard more about
the anti-cryonics law in the last two weeks than she had
heard about it in the 16 years she has been with the Funeral
Services Association. She said that she has only heard
from cryonics advocates outside of British Columbia, not
from British Columbia consumers or funeral industry
representatives. She agreed that she might publish a
statement in the BC funeral directors' newsletter informing
them that they would not be legally endangered by assisting
with a cryonics case for a cryonics organization outside
of BC. She suggested that I e-mail her a proposed statement.

Tom Aquiline is both Deputy Director of Industry Relations
for the BC Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority
(BPCPA) and Chairman of the BPCPA Cemetery, Interment & Funeral
Services Advisory Group. He told me that the next meeting of
the Advisory Group will be July 6th and that the anti-cryonics
law and the legal liabilities of BC funeral directors is
scheduled to be discussed at that meeting. He told me that
the impetus for changing legislation comes from consumer
groups and industry groups. He said that he would be happy to
discuss the results of the July 6th meeting with me, and he
even requested my phone number and e-mail address.

I spoke to Betty Down, who is a Senior Policy & Legislation
Analyst for the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor
General. She seemed friendly and helpful, but mainly was telling
me that her role in changing legislation is minimal. She said
that the impetus for changing legislation would mainly come from
industry Advisory Groups, and that she passes recommendations
on to the Solicitor General. She said that appeals can also
be made directly to the Solicitor General.

I was unable to reach Tayt Winnitoy, who I have spoken to
previously. I phoned him numerous times, but always got his
answering machine. He has not returned any of my calls. I
am now suspecting that he simply did not answer the phone
when he say "Cryonics Institute" on caller display, but I am
not concerned enough to try calling from another number. I think
that too much attention may have been focused on Tayt at the
expense of reaching others who are influential with the
government or with BC funeral directors.

I still think that pro-cryonics people living in British
Columbia would do well to contact Janet Ricciutti, Tom Aquiline,
Tayt Winnitoy and even Betty Down to express their concern
over difficulties getting co-operation from BC funeral directors
-- or at least expressing displeasure at the fact that their
beloved province has an anti-cryonics law.

I think that cryonicists living outside of British Columbia
would be most effective by contacting the Solicitor General,
giving reasons why the anti-cryonics law should be eliminated.
Communications should be reasonable and well-informed rather
than hostile and self-righteous, in my opinion. I do not have
an e-mail address for the Solicitor General -- only mailing
address, phone and fax numbers. I will forward an e-mail
address if I discover one.

It would probably be best if cryonicists compose their
own letters. But if your imagination fails you then send the
form letter I have created:


**********************************************************
Honorable John Les
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9053
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 9E2

In Bill 3 (2004), the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services
Act, Section 14 states that a person must not offer for sale or
sell an arrangement based on cryonics that is offered on the
expectation of resuscitation of human remains at a future time.
This section is a rewrite of a similarly worded law that was
created in 1990 by a single bureaucrat (David Oliver) with the
acquiescence of his committee. There was no consultation with
cryonicists or scientists familiar with cryonics technology.

No other province or state in North America has a similar
piece of legislation. When the Alberta government was
considering legislation similar to that in BC they agreed to consult
with the Cryonics Society of Canada before making a decision. In
the 16 years that BC's anti-cryonics law has been in effect no one
in the government of British Columbia has ever consulted with anyone
knowledgeable about cryonics or with expertise in the science
behind cryonics.

Decades ago cessation of heartbeat was equated with the
finality of any potential for life. With defibrillators this is
no longer necessarily true. Cryonicists believe that future
technologies will cure diseases that are currently fatal and
allow for regeneration of organs. Molecular repair technologies
may be able to resuscitate, rejuvenate and/or reconstruct
body tissues. Prospects are best for the best preserved human
remains, which requires rapid cool-down and cardio-pulmonary
support soon after clinical death.

I believe that British Columbia's anti-cryonics law is an
embarrassment to the Province and an impediment to human progress.
I strongly urge that this offensive piece of legislation be removed.

Respectfully yours,

**********************************************************

Below is the contact information I have for influential persons
in the British Columbia government or with the BC funeral directors.

-- Ben Best

**********************************************************
Janet Ricciutti, Executive Director
Funeral Service Association of British Columbia
Suite 211
2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, BC.
Canada V8R 1G1

Telephone: (250) 592-3213
Toll Free (in Canada): (800) 665-3899
Fax: (250) 592-4362
E-mail: info@bcfunerals.com [info(at)bcfunerals.com]
**********************************************************
Tom R. Aquiline, Deputy Director of Industry Relations
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority

Telephone: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bcpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bcpcpa.ca]
**********************************************************
Honorable John Les
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9053
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 9E2

Phone: (250) 356-7717
Fax: (250) 356-8270
**********************************************************
Tayt Winnitoy, Director of Operations
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority
P. O. Box 9244
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 320-1667 (9 for directory then 8298 for TAYT)
Fax: (250) 920-7181
Toll Free (in Canada): (888) 564-9963
E-mail: tayt.winnitoy@bpcpa.ca [tayt.winnitoy(at)bpcpa.ca]
**********************************************************
Ms. Betty Down
PO BOX 9283
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC
V8W 9J7 CANADA
Tel: (250) 387-3398
FAX: (250) 387-2631
E-mail: Betty.Down@gov.bc.ca [Betty.Down(at)gov.bc.ca]

[DJS]

"No person shall offer for sale or sell any arrangement for the
preservation or storage of human remains based on cryonics,
irradiation or any other means of preservation or storage, by
whatever name called, that is offered or sold on the expectation
of the resuscitation of human remains at a future time."

If a potential cryonicist states in writing that he or she has no expectations attached to the procedure, then there doesn't appear to be a legal rationale for the funeral service provider not to comply. Of course, a number of factors such as ignorance/fear of the law and cultural inhibitions could ultimately come into play regarding a funeral director's decision not comply with a service request.

Legality may not be the underlying problem in this case. One potential solution to the current log jam may be to find a cryonics advocate in the BC area who would be willing to go through the process of becoming a member of the Funeral Services Association. Once entrusted with all of the rights and responsibilities that come with being a member, said individual could provide cryonics services without any fear of legal reprisal.

Has anyone done any research on the requirements for becoming a member of the FSA?

[benbest]

Sample letter passages:

Decades ago cessation of heartbeat was equated with the
finality of any potential for life. With defibrillators this is
no longer necessarily true. Cryonicists believe that future
technologies will cure diseases that are currently fatal and
allow for regeneration of organs. Molecular repair technologies
may be able to resuscitate, rejuvenate and/or reconstruct
body tissues. Prospects are best for the best preserved human
remains, which requires rapid cool-down and cardio-pulmonary
support soon after clinical death.

I would suggest you de-emphasize this portion of the letter, and make an appeal to human and property rights instead. If you're to discuss the applied science of cryonics, focus on existing preservation advancements rather than speculative possible future reanimation technology. I maintain that our best means of overcoming the legal hurdles that obstruct easy access to cryopreservation services seemingly lay first and foremost in our appeal to rights. The government need not encourage cryonics, or even legally recognize it if they fear that would confer legitimacy, lifting legal prescriptions against cryopreservation providers in BC is all that is required (permission to operate through legal omission).

My paragraph addresses both an existing technology -- defibrillation -- as well as extrapolations to future technologies based on preservation of tissue. Vitrification could be added to rather than replace this discussion, but the point of the paragraph should still be to emphasize the mutable nature of definitions of death. If anything, the paragraph should be more explicit on this point.

It may be true that an additional paragraph dealing with "rights" would be appropriate, but I am not sure what the best way to do this would be. It is hard to discuss rights without having a self-righteous tone.

Although France does not have such an explicit anti-cryonics law as British Columbia, in practice the French have been more ferocious in their anti-cryonics fascism. This applies not only to denying the Martinot's rights to cryopreserve in a freezer, but to prohibiting Yvan Bozzonetti from putting ice on his mother when she deanimated. The French have sometimes insisted on three hours of normothermic ischemia post-mortem to guarantee death.

British Columbia bureaucrats know that they cannot outlaw cryonics outside of their Province, but they could obstruct the practice by adopting policies similar to the French. Instead, they have taken the opposite approach by saying that BC citizens are not prohibited from contracting with a cryonics organization outside of BC and that a BC funeral director is not prohibited from preparing and transporting appropriate to cryonics practice. (The issue of a cryonics rescue team from outside BC to give meds and cardiopulmonary support has not been raised.) The law is purportedly consumer protection, but in a way that does not prohibit BC consumers from obtaining cryonics service if they want it.

The law seems comparable to marijuana laws that permit the ownership and use of small amounts of the substance, but that prohibits trafficking and subjects traffickers to criminal treatment. Buyers are at worst regarded as innocent victims, but sellers are the evil ones -- at least if they live in BC. The law is directed against marketing, but somewhat ineffectively insofar as cryonics-related publications and sales materials from outside of BC are not against the law in BC. The law would prevent someone from selling cryonics service in BC (apparently this applies to storage and not preparation), but of what importance is the location of the service provider if marketing is the real evil and a citizen is not prohibited from obtaining the service?

I believe that British Columbia's anti-cryonics law is an
embarrassment to the Province and an impediment to human progress.
I strongly urge that this offensive piece of legislation be removed.

This is needlessly confrontational language, few concern themselves with this law outside of the cryonics community. The small minority who are aware of the law may view it's treatment of cryonics as unjust but ultimately trivial, and not an embarrassment. Given the limited political influence of cryonicists in British Columbia, I suspect it best that we favor a less hostile approach in petitioning government officials. If we poison the well with rhetoric, we may lose the attention of a government that can safely ignore us without concerning their constituents.

I did say myself that communications should be reasonable rather than hostile and self-righteous, so you may be right that my language is "needlessly confrontational". It does seem appropriate, however, to end the letter with a statement that clearly, if not forcefully, urges that the law be removed.

[benbest]

"No person shall offer for sale or sell any arrangement for the
preservation or storage of human remains based on cryonics,
irradiation or any other means of preservation or storage, by
whatever name called, that is offered or sold on the expectation
of the resuscitation of human remains at a future time."

If a potential cryonicist states in writing that he or she has no expectations attached to the procedure, then there doesn't appear to be a legal rationale for the funeral service provider not to comply. Of course, a number of factors such as ignorance/fear of the law and cultural inhibitions could ultimately come into play regarding a funeral director's decision not comply with a service request.

Legality may not be the underlying problem in this case. One potential solution to the current log jam may be to find a cryonics advocate in the BC area who would be willing to go through the process of becoming a member of the Funeral Services Association. Once entrusted with all of the rights and responsibilities that come with being a member, said individual could provide cryonics services without any fear of legal reprisal.

Has anyone done any research on the requirements for becoming a member of the FSA?

By what you say, a cryonics organization could theoretically set up shop in BC and to exactly all of the things that a cryonics organization could do elsewhere -- including standby teams, vitrification and long-term storage -- simply by denying that the purpose of the procedures is future resuscitation. How could a BC government agent prove a "resuscitation purpose" if there were no marketing materials or testimonies of verbal claims? The practices could be justified on the grounds of optimal preservation of tissue for future analysis -- like saving Einstein's brain as a "neuro".

In practice, the current market for cryonics service is barely enough to justify existing cryonics organizations, much less an additional organization in British Columbia. Resources that could be used to create such an organization in BC would be better devoted to existing organizations elsewhere.

I believe that your suggested evasive strategy would not be effective -- and would especially not be cost effective.

[DJS]

Perhaps, Ben, I do not have the level of understanding which you do about the issues at play.

What I assumed would take place is some temporary stop-gap measure aimed at slowing down ischemia (ie, "icing the patient") while a cryonics task force came in, recovered the patient, and brought hir back to their main facilities for cryo-preservation.

IOW, I've read this thread, I understand that the laws in BC aren't completely friendly to cryonics, but I also see wiggle room which Alcor or CI can use to recover patients.

I'm not saying set up shop, I'm just saying develop a chain of command...

[benbest]

Perhaps, Ben, I do not have the level of understanding which you do about the issues at play.

What I assumed would take place is some temporary stop-gap measure aimed at slowing down ischemia (ie, "icing the patient") while a cryonics task force came in, recovered the patient, and brought hir back to their main facilities for cryo-preservation.

IOW, I've read this thread, I understand that the laws in BC aren't completely friendly to cryonics, but I also see wiggle room which Alcor or CI can use to recover patients.

I'm not saying set up shop, I'm just saying develop a chain of command...

Sorry if I came across as being harshly critical, Don. I don't mean to discourage brainstorming. I thought that you were suggesting someone joining the BC Funeral Services Association as a means of creating a full-service cryonics organization in BC. I interpret your last comments as being more along the lines of creating a professional local response group along the lines of Suspended Animation, Inc. Again, without meaning to be harshly critical, I think that this would be hard to cost-justify. I wish that the demand for cryonics were great enough that a Suspended Animation could exist in every state and province, but this is not the case for the near future. However, it is possible that this could happen within ten or twenty years. It could certainly happen well before a full-service cryonics organization in BC would be justified.

[benbest]

Sample letter passages:

Decades ago cessation of heartbeat was equated with the
finality of any potential for life. With defibrillators this is
no longer necessarily true. Cryonicists believe that future
technologies will cure diseases that are currently fatal and
allow for regeneration of organs. Molecular repair technologies
may be able to resuscitate, rejuvenate and/or reconstruct
body tissues. Prospects are best for the best preserved human
remains, which requires rapid cool-down and cardio-pulmonary
support soon after clinical death.

I would suggest you de-emphasize this portion of the letter, and make an appeal to human and property rights instead. If you're to discuss the applied science of cryonics, focus on existing preservation advancements rather than speculative possible future reanimation technology. I maintain that our best means of overcoming the legal hurdles that obstruct easy access to cryopreservation services seemingly lay first and foremost in our appeal to rights. The government need not encourage cryonics, or even legally recognize it if they fear that would confer legitimacy, lifting legal prescriptions against cryopreservation providers in BC is all that is required (permission to operate through legal omission).

I believe that British Columbia's anti-cryonics law is an
embarrassment to the Province and an impediment to human progress.
I strongly urge that this offensive piece of legislation be removed.

This is needlessly confrontational language, few concern themselves with this law outside of the cryonics community. The small minority who are aware of the law may view it's treatment of cryonics as unjust but ultimately trivial, and not an embarrassment. Given the limited political influence of cryonicists in British Columbia, I suspect it best that we favor a less hostile approach in petitioning government officials. If we poison the well with rhetoric, we may lose the attention of a government that can safely ignore us without concerning their constituents.

Thank you for your input, cosmos. I have re-written my suggested letter, somewhat along the lines as you have discussed. My proposed letter is the following:

Honorable John Les
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9053
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 9E2

In Bill 3 (2004), the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services
Act, Section 14 states that a person must not offer for sale or
sell an arrangement based on cryonics that is offered on the
expectation of resuscitation of human remains at a future time.
This section is a rewrite of a similarly worded law that was
created in 1990 by a single bureaucrat (David Oliver) with the
acquiescence of his committee. There was no consultation with
cryonicists or scientists familiar with cryonics technology.

No other province or state in North America has a similar
piece of legislation. When the Alberta government was
considering legislation similar to that in BC they agreed to consult
with the Cryonics Society of Canada before making a decision. In
the 16 years that BC's anti-cryonics law has been in effect no one
in the government of British Columbia has ever consulted with anyone
knowledgeable about cryonics or with expertise in the science
behind cryonics.

Decades ago cessation of heartbeat was equated with the
finality of any potential for life. With defibrillators this is
no longer necessarily true. Cryonicists believe that future
technologies will cure diseases that are currently fatal and
allow for regeneration of organs. Molecular repair technologies
may be able to resuscitate, rejuvenate and/or reconstruct
body tissues. Vitrification (anti-freeze) solutions currently used
in cryonics have allowed rabbit kidneys to be cooled to
-135oC without ice formation and transplanted into rabbits
after rewarming, with full functionality. Prospects are best
for the best preserved human remains, which requires rapid
cool-down and cardio-pulmonary support soon after clinical death.

I believe that British Columbia citizens should be treated as
mature adults by their government, capable of making their own
decisions on whether to buy or sell an unproven procedure that is
dependent upon technologies that may or may not materialize in
the future. I strongly request that Bill 4 (2004) Section 14 be
removed from British Columbia legislation.

Respectfully yours,

[quadclops]

Ben I just recieved this letter from Tayt Winnitoy in response to your suggested letter on page one of this topic:

BPCPA
BUSINESS PRACTICES &
CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY
of British Columbia

May 02, 2006

Albert J. McCune
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pittsburgh, PA USA
xxxxx

Re: Cryonics Legislation in British Columbia Canada

Dear Mr. McCune,

Thank you for your letter regarding BC funeral directors and section 14 of the Cremation, Interment and
Funeral Services Act.  I appreciate your concerns and would be interested in knowing if you have had a
recent interaction with a BC funeral director which led to your correspondence.

The policy respecting the sale of cryogenic arrangements has been in place since July 8, 1990 when
section 57 of the former Cemetary and Funeral Services Act was enacted.  While you correctly point out
that there has been some correspondence between the BC government, this office, consumers and
cryogenic organizations since that time - including a letter which I had sent to the Cryonics Institute in
Michigan in 2005 - there has been little correspondence recieved from funeral directors related to the
matter.

Nonetheless, I have passed your letter, as well as identical letters from other individuals, about the
interpretation and application of this section of the Act to our Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services
Advisory Group.  This group consists of both industry and consumer representatives who will consider the
matter further and provide the Authority with feedback on the extent of awareness on this issue in BC and
the possible need for further communication with the funeral sector.

Thank you for writing,

Tayt Winnitoy
Executive Director, Operations

Cc:      CIFSAG
            Consumer Realtions
            Policy and Legislation, Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitior General

What do you think Ben, does this sound like progress or a polite government brush-off?

[benbest]

Today when I spoke on the phone with Janet Ricciatti
(Executive Director of the BC Funeral Services Association)
she told me that the issue of funeral director preparation
and shipment of cryonics patients had been discussed at
yesterday's (Tuesday, May 16) meeting of the Board of
the BC Funeral Services Association. She advised me that
the Association would be willing to publish a letter in
the BC Funeral Services Association newsletter
which assured funeral directors that it is not illegal
for them to prepare and ship a cryonics patient out
of British Columbia. She said that it would be best if
such a letter originated from Tayt Winnitoy, Director of
Operations of the Business Practices and Consumer
Protection Authority (BPCPA) of BC.

I phoned Tayt Winnitoy who informed me that
although he has issued cryonics "comfort letters"
to individuals (including to Cryonics Institute
Facilities Manager Andy Zawacki), that it would not be
appropriate for him to issue such a letter to the
BC Funeral Services Association. Mr. Winnitoy said
that it would be most appropriate for such a
directive to be issued by the BPCPA Cemetery,
Interment & Funeral Services Advisory Group,
which has its next meeting on July 6th. Cryonics
is already scheduled to be on the agenda.

I do think it is useful for cryonicists --
particularly those living in British Columbia -- to
continue to write, phone & FAX British Columbia
officials requesting that funeral directors be
informed of their legal immunity for participation
in a cryonics case -- especially in advance of the
July 6th Advisory Group meeting. However, I think
that the emphasis of cryonicists should be on
requests that the anti-cryonics law --
Bill 3 (2005) Section 14 -- be repealed.

Although the Solicitor General is the most
influential individual in this regard, the
Solicitor General responds to requests from the
Advisory Group, the Funeral Services Association
and consumer groups. A letter along the lines
of the letter I composed -- which I suggested
be sent to the Solicitor General -- could also
be sent to members of the Advisory Group and
the Funeral Association.

Members of the BPCPA Interment & Funeral
Services Advisory Group, are listed on the following
website PDF file:

http://www.bpcpa.ca/...isory_group.pdf

Below is my latest version of my suggested letter
requesting that Bill 3 (2004) Section 14 be
repealed (for those who don't want to compose their
own) along with contact information for the various
officials.
-- Ben Best

**********************************************************
Honorable John Les
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9053
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 9E2

In Bill 3 (2004), the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services
Act, Section 14 states that a person must not offer for sale or
sell an arrangement based on cryonics that is offered on the
expectation of resuscitation of human remains at a future time.
This section is a rewrite of a similarly worded law that was
created in 1990 by a single bureaucrat (David Oliver) with the
acquiescence of his committee. There was no consultation with
cryonicists or scientists familiar with cryonics technology.

No other province or state in North America has a similar
piece of legislation. When the Alberta government was
considering legislation similar to that in BC they agreed to consult
with the Cryonics Society of Canada before making a decision. In
the 16 years that BC's anti-cryonics law has been in effect no one
in the government of British Columbia has ever consulted with anyone
knowledgeable about cryonics or with expertise in the science
behind cryonics.

Decades ago cessation of heartbeat was equated with the
finality of any potential for life. With defibrillators this is
no longer necessarily true. Cryonicists believe that future
technologies will cure diseases that are currently fatal and
allow for regeneration of organs. Molecular repair technologies
may be able to resuscitate, rejuvenate and/or reconstruct
body tissues. Vitrification (anti-freeze) solutions currently used
in cryonics have allowed rabbit kidneys to be cooled to
-135oC without ice formation and transplanted into rabbits
after rewarming, with full functionality. Prospects are best
for the best preserved human remains, which requires rapid
cool-down and cardio-pulmonary support soon after clinical death.

I believe that British Columbia citizens should be treated as
mature adults by their government, capable of making their own
decisions on whether to buy or sell an unproven procedure that is
dependent upon technologies that may or may not materialize in
the future. I strongly request that Bill 4 (2004) Section 14 be
removed from British Columbia legislation.

Respectfully yours,

**********************************************************



Tom R. Aquiline, Chairman
BPCPA Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services Advisory Group

Telephone: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bcpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bcpcpa.ca]
http://www.bpcpa.ca/
**********************************************************
Ellen Leslie, Executive Director
Memorial Society of BC
#212 -- 1847 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6J 1Y6
E-mail: mail@memorialsocietybc.org

Tel (604) 733-7705
FAX (604) 733-7730
Toll Free (Canada) 1-888-816-5902
http://www.memorialsocietybc.org/
**********************************************************
Janet Ricciutti, Executive Director
Funeral Service Association of British Columbia
Suite 211
2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, BC.
Canada V8R 1G1

Telephone: (250) 592-3213
Toll Free (in Canada): (800) 665-3899
Fax: (250) 592-4362
E-mail: info@bcfunerals.com [info(at)bcfunerals.com]
http://www.bcfunerals.com/
**********************************************************
Tayt Winnitoy, Director of Operations
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority
P. O. Box 9244
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 320-1667 (9 for directory then 8298 for TAYT)
Fax: (250) 920-7181
Toll Free (in Canada): (888) 564-9963
E-mail: tayt.winnitoy@bpcpa.ca [tayt.winnitoy(at)bpcpa.ca]
http://www.bpcpa.ca/
**********************************************************
Kay Johnson, Director, Griefworks BC
4500 Oak St. Rm E405
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6H 3N1
E-mail: person@griefworksbc.com
BC Toll free number 1-877-234-3322
http://www.griefworksbc.com/
**********************************************************
Ms. Betty Down
PO BOX 9283
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC
V8W 9J7 CANADA
Tel: (250) 387-3398
FAX: (250) 387-2631
E-mail: Betty.Down@gov.bc.ca [Betty.Down(at)gov.bc.ca]

[benbest]

What do you think Ben, does this sound like progress or a polite government brush-off?

Thanks for your effort Albert/quadclops. As you can see from the posting I have
just made, there are signs that we are making progress.

[benbest]

...

I believe that British Columbia citizens should be treated as
mature adults by their government, capable of making their own
decisions on whether to buy or sell an unproven procedure that is
dependent upon technologies that may or may not materialize in
the future. I strongly request that Bill 4 (2004) Section 14 be
removed from British Columbia legislation. [bold is my emphasis]

I think this is a more appropriate ending. In plainly acknowledging the current inadequacies of cryonics, you'll at very least appear less partisan and more reasonable to your prospective audience.

Thanks, cosmos. I agree that it is an improvement.

The change of wording was directly in response to your comments.

[benbest]

Yesterday I spoke on the phone with Tom R. Aquiline,
who is Chairman of the
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
of British Columbia
Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services Advisory Group
(he affectionately refers to the BPCPA as "the Authority").

I was attempting to follow up on the matter which I
discussed in CryoNet Message 27945

http://www.cryonet.o...p.cgi?msg=27945

namely a letter to go into the newsletter of the
Funeral Services Association of BC to inform
the Funeral Directors that the laws of British
Columbia, and the anti-cryonics law in particular

http://www.legis.gov....htm#section014

do not prohibit a funeral director from assisting
in preparation and shipment of a cryonics patient to a
cryonics organization outside of British Columbia.

Janet Ricciutti, Executive Director of the Funeral Services
Association of BC had said that the letter should come
from Tayt Winnitoy, BPCPA Director of Operations, but
when I phoned Tayt Winnitoy he told me that the letter
should come from the Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services
Advisory Group. Tom Acquiline as Chairman of the Advisory
Group told me that the Advisory Group does not write
letters, but that it could make recommendations to
someone in "the Authority" (BPCPA) to write such a letter.

The next meeting of the Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services
Advisory Group will be held July 6th at an undisclosed
location. These meetings are not open to the public. For
the first time ever, cryonics is on the agenda.

I hope that the focus of their discussion will be to assure that
BC funeral directors are informed through their newsletter
that they can participate in cryonics cases with impunity.
However, I did raise the issue of changing the law. He
suggested that if there was sufficient interest, at some
future time the Advisory Group might consider inviting some
cryonics authorities and scientists to attend their meeting
to present evidence about why the law should be repealed.
I am not in a position to volunteer the time or participation
of pro-cryonics scientists or "authorities", except me, and
it would take planning for me to arrange such a thing even
for myself.

For now I think the focus should be on requesting that the members
of the BPCPA Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services Advisory
Group direct that an authoritative letter be sent to Funeral Directors
of British Columbia through the Funeral Services Association of BC
newsletter assuring them of their legal immunity for participation
in a cryonics case. If the cryonics community is seen to be
harassing the members of the Advisory Group, our efforts would
be counter-productive. But on the other hand, only the recent
letter-writing has led to the Advisory Group even considering
the question of cryonics at one of their meetings.

Below is a PDF webpage which lists all of the members of the
Advisory Group. I have listed the members below the
PDF link and have given at least some contact information
for each of the members.

Letters from citizens of British Columbia which contain information
identifying where they live in BC are especially helpful, but I
think that all letters would be of value to get members of the
Advisory Group to think that cryonics is a serious matter deserving
some serious attention. We do want that attention to be positive
and constructive, so letter-writers should keep that in mind. Again,
it would be best if the letters continue to flow at least up to
the date of the July 6th meeting, so that it will be on their
minds when they meet rather than be something which they have
not heard about or thought about for the last month. A really
diligent person might write each of the Advisory Group Members
on a weekly basis until July.

-- Ben Best

Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
of British COlumbia Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services
Advisory Group:

http://www.bpcpa.ca/...isory_group.pdf


(1) Kay Johnson, Director, Griefworks BC

4500 Oak St. Rm E405
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6H 3N1
E-mail: person@griefworksbc.com
BC Toll free number 1-877-234-3322
http://www.griefworksbc.com/

(2) Jason W. Everden, General Manager, Everden Rust Funeral Services
& Cematorium
http://www.everdenrust.com/

(3) Janet E. Ricciutti, Executive Director, Funeral Services
Association of BC
Suite 211
2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, BC.
Canada V8R 1G1

Telephone: (250) 592-3213
Toll Free (in Canada): (800) 665-3899
Fax: (250) 592-4362
E-mail: info@bcfunerals.com [info(at)bcfunerals.com]
http://www.bcfunerals.com/

(4) Lawrence G. Little, Owner, Personal Alternatives Funeral
Services Limited

http://www.personala...x.php?pageId=10
info@pafs.net

(5) John M. Chasca, President of BC Independent Family Funeral
Home Association
and Owner of McPherson's Funeral Home

McPherson Funeral Services, John M. Chasca
2200 - 2nd Street South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 1E1
Telephone : 250-426-3132
Email : mcphersonfh@shaw.ca

(6) Stephen C. Olson, Secretary Treasurer, Cemetery & Cremation
Association of BC

http://www.ccabc.org/

Cemetery and Crematorium Association of British Columbia
211 - 2187 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, BC V8R 1G1

Email: info@ccabc.org
Phone: 1-800-665-3899

(7) Ellen Leslie, Executive Director, Memorial Society of British Columbia

#212 -- 1847 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6J 1Y6
E-mail: mail@memorialsocietybc.org

Tel (604) 733-7705
FAX (604) 733-7730
Toll Free (Canada) 1-888-816-5902
http://www.memorialsocietybc.org/


(8) Tom R. Aquiline, Deputy Director, Industry Relations, BPCPA

Telephone: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bcpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bcpcpa.ca]


(Not a Member, but sometimes attending) Tayt Winnitoy, BPCPA Director of Operations

P. O. Box 9244
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 320-1667 (9 for directory then 8298 for TAYT)
Fax: (250) 920-7181
Toll Free (in Canada): (888) 564-9963
E-mail: tayt.winnitoy@bpcpa.ca [tayt.winnitoy(at)bpcpa.ca]

[benbest]

(For background, see http://www.cryocdn.org/law57.html )

As I have mentioned in previous postings, the next meeting
of the Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services
Advisory Group of British Columbia will be held July 6th at an
undisclosed location, and for the first time ever, cryonics
is on the agenda. I believe that it is most important that
this meeting result in a decision that an authoritative letter
will be sent to Funeral Directors of British Columbia through
the Funeral Services Association of BC newsletter assuring them
of their legal immunity for participation in a cryonics case.
Members of the Advisory Group should be encouraged by
cryonicists (especially cryonicists in BC) to support this
decision, but cryonicists should be careful not to alienate
the Advisory Group members.

I have recently learned that one of the Advisory Group
members informed a journalist that he would
not touch a cryonics case because it is illegal to ship an
unembalmed body out of British Columbia. Subsequently I
discussed this matter with Janet Ricciutti of the BC
Funeral Services Association who informed me that until
recently there was a requirement that bodies shipped out
of BC more than 72 hours post-mortem either had to be
embalmed or shipped in a hermetically-sealed container.
Cryonics patients are hopefully shipped in less than
72 hours and in any case are typically shipped in a
metal Ziegler having rubber gaskets that are screwed
tight. Ms. Ricciutti informed me that even this law has
been relaxed to state simply that a body must be shipped
"in a manner that does not cause a health hazard" and
that their members had been informed of this in their
May 2006 newsletter. She cautioned me, however, that
10% of BC funeral directors are not members of
the Funeral Services Association and may be uninformed.

Insofar as the Funeral Services Association has clarified
the issue of embalming and shipment to most of their
members, our emphasis should be on their awareness of
the ability of BC funeral directors to legally assist
in cryonics cases. A suggested letter, e-mail message or
FAX to each of the Advisory Group members could contain
some of the following suggested content:

***************************************************
Dear XXXX,

I am writing to you because you are a member of the BPCPA
Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services Advisory Group,
and because the subject of cryonics is on the agenda of
the next meeting of the Group on July 6.

I am concerned that too many funeral directors in BC
believe that Section 14 of Bill 3 (2004) (the Cremation,
Interment and Funeral Services Act) makes it illegal for
a BC citizen to contract for cryonics services with a
cryonics organization outside of BC and believe that it is
illegal for a BC funeral director to assist in the shipping
of a body in a cryonics case. Some funeral directors even
believe that it is illegal for any reason to ship an
unembalmed body out of BC. None of these beliefs are true.

My request is that the Advisory Group direct that a letter
be written from an authoritative source to the funeral directors
of BC informing them that although marketing of cryonics is
prohibited by Section 14 that BC funeral directors are legally
permitted to assist in shipment of a body to a cryonics
organization located outside of the province.

Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
ZZZZZ

***************************************************

Below is a PDF webpage which lists all of the members of the
Advisory Group. I have listed the members below the
PDF link and have given at least some contact information
for each of the members. Note that this is basically the
same list that I have posted previously, but that some
further contact information has been supplied by Olaf Henny.

-- Ben Best

Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
of British Columbia Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services
Advisory Group:

http://www.bpcpa.ca/...isory_group.pdf

(1) Kay Johnson, Director, Griefworks BC
4500 Oak St. Rm E405
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6H 3N1

E-mail: person@griefworksbc.com [person(at)griefworksbc.com]
BC Toll free number 1-877-234-3322
http://www.griefworksbc.com/

(2) Jason W. Everden, General Manager

Everden Rust Funeral Services & Crematorium
1910 Windsor Road
Kelowna, BC V1Y 4R5

1-250-860-8440
http://www.everdenrust.com/

(3) Janet E. Ricciutti, Executive Director
Funeral Services Association of BC
Suite 211
2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, B.C.
Canada V8R 1G1

Telephone: (250) 592-3213
Toll Free (in Canada): (800) 665-3899
Fax: (250) 592-4362
E-mail: info@bcfunerals.com [info(at)bcfunerals.com]
http://www.bcfunerals.com/

(4) Lawrence G. Little, Owner
Personal Alternatives Funeral Services Limited

(604) 662-7700
http://www.personala...x.php?pageId=10
info@pafs.net [info(at)pafs.net]

(5) John M. Chasca,
President of BC Independent Family Funeral Home Association
and Owner of McPherson's Funeral Home

McPherson Funeral Services, John M. Chasca
2200 - 2nd Street South
Cranbrook, BC, V1C 1E1 Canada

Telephone : 250-426-3132
Email : mcphersonfh@shaw.ca [mcphersonfh(at)shaw.ca]

(6) Stephen C. Olson, Secretary Treasurer
Cemetery and Crematorium Association of British Columbia
211 - 2187 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, BC V8R 1G1

http://www.ccabc.org/
Email: info@ccabc.org [info(at)ccabc.org]
Phone: 1-800-665-3899

(7) Ellen Leslie, Executive Director, Memorial Society of British Columbia

#212 -- 1847 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6J 1Y6
E-mail: mail@memorialsocietybc.org [mail(at)memorialsocietybc.org]

Tel (604) 733-7705
FAX (604) 733-7730
Toll Free (Canada) PHONE 1-888-816-5902
Toll Free (Canada) FAX 1-888-816-5903
http://www.memorialsocietybc.org/

(8) Tom R. Aquiline, Deputy Director,
Industry Relations, BPCPA
PO Box 9244
Victoria BC
V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bcpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bcpcpa.ca]

(Not a Member, but sometimes attending) Tayt Winnitoy, BPCPA Director of Operations

P. O. Box 9244
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 320-1667 (9 for directory then 8298 for TAYT)
Fax: (250) 920-7181
Toll Free (in Canada): (888) 564-9963
E-mail: tayt.winnitoy@bpcpa.ca [tayt.winnitoy(at)bpcpa.ca]

[benbest]

I hope that there are people who are concerned about
the outcome of the July 6th meeting of the
BPCPA Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services Advisory Group
and are writing some or all of the members of the Group.
It has been pointed-out to me that the e-mail address
for Tom Aquiline given above is incorrect. (I have phoned
him twice but have not e-mailed him.) The correct
contact information for Tom Aquiline is:

**************************************************
(8) Tom R. Aquiline, Deputy Director,
Industry Relations, BPCPA
PO Box 9244
Victoria BC
V8W 9J2

Telephone: (604) 296-2855
E-mail: tom.aquiline@bpcpa.ca [tom.aquiline(at)bpcpa.ca]
**************************************************

[benbest]

A cryonicist living in Burnaby, BC has received the following
letter from Janet Ricciuti, which sounds less friendly than what
I have heard before. She has apparently only heard from the
cryonics organizations and "one or two of their lobbying members".
And she says " there has been virtually zero requests for
these services", which may mean that Chuck Grodzicki is the
"virtual" in the "virtually zero". It also indicates that my
"letter-writing campaign" has not been much of a success.

Her tone does not bode well for the upcoming meeting on
July 6th. If anyone is prepared to write, I suggest that the
emphasis be on the fact that cryonics organizations and
cryonicists do not hold funeral directors liable. And that
hold-harmless agreements are available if that will make
the funeral director more comfortable. I have already told
her this on the phone, but her tone does not reflect it. I
know that liability was the major concern the
Funeral Services Association of BC members discussed
and were concerned about when they met on May 16th.

For background on the upcoming July 6th meeting see

http://www.cryocdn.o...57.html#appeal2

-- Ben Best

**********************************************************

Dear Jason,

There is no law in BC that prohibits a funeral director from preparing
and transferring human remains for cryogenic suspension. The Funeral
Service Association of BC has a province wide toll free line.
We receive approximately 350 - 450 calls per month. I have responded to
these telephone calls for the past 15 years and I have never received
one telephone call from either a consumer wishing to obtain these
services from a funeral director or a funeral director requesting
information about purchasing the appropriate supplies or equipment to
provide such a service. The only enquiries and calls I have received
are from the very active lobbyists representing both the US Cryonics
institutes and one or two of their lobbying members. I have repeatedly
advised them that I have been advised by the province's regulating
authority that there is no law in BC under the CIFSA that prohibits a
funeral director from preparing human remains for transfer to either one
of the cryogenic institutes. Whether or not a funeral home offers such
a service is strictly a business decision that they as business owners
are free to make. Since there has been virtually zero requests for
these services, I would think funeral providers would find it hard to
justify the inherent costs associated with providing such a service
including the purchase of a heart-lung resuscitator; free radical
inhibitors; nitric oxide synthase inhibitors; anticoagulants; pressors
etc. Future liability issues may also be a concern whereby should
resuscitation be attempted and not successful could the funeral home be
liable for the preparation services they provided?

Should you require further information regarding the Cremation,
Interment and Funeral Services Act, you should contact the regulating
authority directly. Their website is www.bpcpa.ca

Regards,
Janet Ricciuti, Executive Director
Funeral Service Association of B.C.
Suite 211 - 2187 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, B.C. V8R 1G1